By Efraim Mendelson

I’ll get straight to the point. Our neighborhoods have become more dangerous. We are facing a public safety emergency. And no, this isn’t about crime, although that’s worrisome too.

Not long ago, being on the sidewalk didn’t require constant alertness for fast-moving vehicles whizzing by. But times have changed. Today, people of all ages are zooming down sidewalks and streets on electric scooters and bikes, many with little to no experience operating them.

Everyone understands why driving a car has a minimum age requirement and only comes after training, testing, and licensing. This ensures competent drivers, safe roads, and adherence to traffic laws. But when it comes to e-scooters, it’s the wild west. Though sidewalk use is prohibited under New York law, and there are official speed limits, the regulations are weakly enforced. This creates a menace to pedestrians and turns our walkways into danger zones.

Aside from frequently crashing into pedestrians on sidewalks, e-scooters pose other hazards as well. Bumps, potholes, and broken asphalt can all cause loss of control and falls. Even when using designated bike lanes (which are mostly one-way), riders sometimes travel against traffic. This can lead to collisions with pedestrians crossing the street who aren’t expecting bikes or scooters from the wrong direction. Others leave designated areas and weave through traffic, endangering both themselves and motorists. Sadly, many adults ride recklessly as well and also get into accidents, but the risk is greater among children, who are even less prepared to operate these vehicles safely.

Yes, the pressure is real. Your child may beg for that scooter, insisting that all of his or her friends have one. But would you give your toddler a knife or allow them to cross the street alone, even after repeated cries and pleas? This is no different. A parent’s first obligation is safety, which often requires tough love. Also, bear in mind that if a child on an e-scooter injures themselves or someone else (or worse, G-d forbid), the parent who purchased it or permitted its use bears the ultimate moral responsibility.

If your child already has one, you need to ask yourself some tough questions about their safety and your role in it. If you’re an adult who rides on sidewalks or disregards designated lanes and traffic rules, you need to take a hard look in the mirror. Pikuach nefesh comes before the entire Torah. Repeatedly jeopardizing one’s life and the lives of others, or allowing a child to do so, can lead to devastating consequences, and calls into question one’s entire frumkeit.

Don’t wait for a tragedy to start taking responsibility. Act now, before an accident leads to a lifetime of regret!